Uyless Black

A Swimmer's Odyssey: from the Plains to the Pacific Uyless Black

A memoir of a boy's love of swimming and his quest to become an Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) frogman. Black describes the mentors of his youth who became his models for swimming. He provides a history of the UDT and SEALs. He tells of an injury while in UDT training that denied him his life-long dream, but led to a life-long profession. The story also tells of how high achievers---such as Andre Agassi, Tiger Woods, and Julia Child---dedicated themselves to a work ethic which led to the fulfillment of their dreams and goals. The book recounts the author's experience in the Vietnam War, including the Tonkin Gulf incident, Marine raids, and the historic Danang beach landings. Black describes how and why we must "put in the time" if we are going to have any chance of success. With himself as the model, he explains how average people can be successful if they are dedicated to their efforts. He analyzes Malcolm Gladwell's outlier concept and David Brooks' comments on Gladwell's views on social determinism.